plumbers vs sparks rates

[Knobhead]

I met data cable installers that were on about £75 an hour, they don't even pull cables in, just punch down the terminals of the cables I so kindly pulled in. Why worry about who charges what? There'll always be someone earning more than you for what seems like a lesser job. Sure I could earn more working in an office? But then I wouldn't get to roll around in fibreglass and make things light up!

And you’re competent to test those cables once terminated and guarantee them?

I’ve lost count of the times I’ve called back gangs to remake cables.
They won’t reach once cut back?
Oh dear, what a pity, never mind.
I’ll take the cost of the cable off this months account settlement.

The cable gang master was my friend, he had to be. A cable fails on test….. SORT IT OUT!
It didn’t bother me how much work it took. I needed clear test results for my lords and masters. If it eats in to someone else’s profit, I didn’t care one jot. They priced the job and mucked it up, who’s fault is that?

 

[Thefailsafe2012]

And you’re competent to test those cables once terminated and guarantee them?

I’ve lost count of the times I’ve called back gangs to remake cables.
They won’t reach once cut back?
Oh dear, what a pity, never mind.
I’ll take the cost of the cable off this months account settlement.

The cable gang master was my friend, he had to be. A cable fails on test….. SORT IT OUT!
It didn’t bother me how much work it took. I needed clear test results for my lords and masters. If it eats in to someone else’s profit, I didn’t care one jot. They priced the job and mucked it up, who’s fault is that?

I know what your getting at, but this was standard cat5, the tester they used was nowt more spectacular than a Maplin 10 bob jobby

Anyway, it doesn't fuss me what other trades charge, as long as I get my beer money I'm happy, and you couldn't pay me a hundred pound an hour to be a leaky pants bloke!

 

[rmc86uk]

If I ever get asked to look at a job on the side and say my rate is £35 per hour I very much doubt that that I would get that job!

 

[telectrix]

pathetic isn't it. your average back street garage charges £40 -£50/ hour just for changing the sludge in your motor.

 

[brman]

which is why I don't quote an hourly rate. I quote for the job and base it on both what I think it will take me but also what I think the customer will think is acceptable. Depending on what actually happens I have caculated my actual hourly rate is somewhere between £7 and £40. I wish it was closer to £40 more though......

Oh, and that isn't including time spent doing certs, quotes, pre-visits, getting materials etc etc. It is a shame more customers don't understand the job overheads or they would realise who cheap we actually are!

 

[rmc86uk]

pathetic isn't it. your average back street garage charges £40 -£50/ hour just for changing the sludge in your motor.

I can agree with them because they have to pay big rent on garages and all the gear that they use plus them car lifts aren't cheap to run. Wages, pensions and all that!

 

[glasgospark]

If I ever get asked to look at a job on the side and say my rate is £35 per hour I very much doubt that that I would get that job!

That's based in a homer though , I'm not doing homers in making a living

 

[monjoor]

Call out £30 first hour then £15 per hour domestic.

Call out £30 first hour then £20 per hour commercial

C/C++ Programming/software coding £60 per hour

PCB design £50 per hour

Circuit design £50 per hour

Prototype starting from £350-1000

 

[glasgospark]

Call out £30 first hour then £15 per hour domestic.

Call out £30 first hour then £20 per hour commercial

C/C++ Programming/software coding £60 per hour

PCB design £50 per hour

Circuit design £50 per hour

Prototype starting from £350-1000

£15 per hour you must be joking I was on £14.59 per hour on the books with a company , can't see that business lasting very long ,

 

[monjoor]

I'm still a trainee sparky.

Based in Oldham its hard down here due too many cowboys! Under cutting my quotes.

Once fully qualified £20-35 at least!

 

[stuartcourt]

I am moving up north

 

[monjoor]

I'm guessing rates vary from location to location.

 

[bigbaddave]

My mates a plumber and for a heating systmem he will clear "Himself" £600 a day.. Yet for a rewire id clear £300 a day..

- - - Updated - - -

I am moving up north

I wouldnt mate.. It not nice place.. LOL

 

[monjoor]

300 a day rewire? Don't clients ask for a fixed cost in advance?

I would charge all in £1800 (certs, materials) for a two bed terrace.

1 week first fit and 2-3 days for second

 

[rmc86uk]

When my dad used to do Boiler swaps he could make £1000 profit and that's prob a days work?

 

[PEM]

Guys problem is most domestic customers don't give a f about their electrics whereas that new kitchen or bathroom is a different story.

Plus when a pipe leaks its obvious sh.. Down the wall. The customer wants it fixed.

 

[bigbaddave]

(null)

Aye, but materials plus how many days you think it's going to take. Some take more some less.

 

[s100cky]

I try to stay clear of domestics for this very reason. I've spent far too much time charging far to little to work in some ones house far too late, to try and be a nice guy. At the end of the day the bitter truth is I didn't spend all those years training, and investing in tools and knowledge to become and electrical charity. I put a price in to make it worth doing, if they think its too high they are more than welcome to go elsewhere. Infact I've even suggested that once or twice...

 

[trev]

As I've said before, I never discuss hourly rate or material cost with the customer. A It's got very little to do with them B They usually aren't interested in anything other than the total C We're all rip off merchants to them anyway because the guy at the pub will do it for £5 and a bacon sarnie.